India launches first of Scorpene-class submarines, `Kalvari’

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today launched `Kalvari', the first pf six Scorpene-class submarines being built at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). The Scorpene class stealth submarines are being built under the Project 75, under collaboration with DCNS, France.

Undocking the submarine, the defence minister said India will fulfil its requirement of submarines to protect the sea waters by 2022.

''We expect the rest of the constructions to be completed as per the schedule as in this case. Any delay in achieving the deadline will result in heavy penalty,'' said Parrikar.

The event was witnessed by the defence minister Manohar Parrikar, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis and the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan amongst other dignitaries.

Addressing the staff and workers at a glittering ceremony at the Eastman yard, Parrikar urged them ''to strive towards making the yard a globally renowned one and to play a critical role in Indian Navy's goal of becoming a true Blue water Navy''.

The project 75 which has already seen a delay of almost 40 months has now been brought on track and the delivery schedule for the successive submarines have been reduced.

Parrikar asked the defence public sector yards, viz, Mazagon Docks Limited and Goa shipyard, to double their production in the coming three years. 

Parrikar said as far as P75(I) project is concerned, private players can also be invited for joint venture which would help early fruition of the project. He warned that if the project is not completed in the stipulated time, the defaulting yard would have to pay penalty but an early completion would be rewarded with a bonus. He also asked MDL to take a lead in the skill development of local unemployed youth.

Kalvari, a successor of a Russian 'Foxtrot' class submarine of the same name, upon its scheduled commissioning in 2016, would lend an enormous fillip to the Indian Navy's underwater capability.

The remaining five boats of the Project 75 would be delivered by the yard to the Navy by 2020 and would form the core of the Navy's submarine arm for the next two decades.

The Scorpene submarines would be equipped with anti-ship missiles and long range guided torpedoes along with modern sensor suite.